Royals at Blue Jays (Game 1)
The Toronto Blue Jays play in a stadium with a retractable roof, but that doesn't mean they're immune to harsh weather north of the border. A chunk of falling ice pierced the dome and caused the cancellation of Monday's scheduled game against the visiting Kansas City Royals, and the teams will make that up as part of a straight doubleheader on Tuesday.
The postponement on Monday marked the third straight for Toronto, which was washed out in Cleveland on Saturday and Sunday on the heels of a stretch of nine wins in 12 games. “Obviously, we’ve been playing really well, and you want that momentum going,” Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada told the Toronto Sun before finding out about Monday's postponement. "Maybe our first game out, we might be a little rusty, but I don’t think taking two days off is going to affect anybody." Veteran left-hander Jaime Garcia, who originally was slated to pitch Saturday, is expected to get the start in the first game for the Blue Jays against Eric Skoglund while J.A. Happ and Danny Duffy face off in the second game. The Royals had their game against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday postponed and may have needed the break after losing five straight contests in which they allowed a total of 29 runs as they begin a seven-game road trip.
TV: 3:07 p.m. ET, FS Kansas City, Sportsnet (Toronto)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Royals LH Eric Skoglund (0-1, 9.64 ERA) vs. Blue Jays LH Jaime Garcia (1-0, 3.18)
Skoglund struggled in his only start of the season last Tuesday as he was tagged for five runs and six hits while hitting three batters over 4 2/3 innings of a loss to Seattle. The 25-year-old Floridian has not won since his major-league debut on May 30, when he limited Detroit to two hits over 6 1/3 scoreless frames. Skoglund, who is 0-3 with a 13.22 ERA in five starts and two relief appearances since the victory, faces the Blue Jays for the first time in his career after being moved back two days due to Sunday’s postponement.
Garcia recorded his first win with the Blue Jays in his last start on April 8 after allowing three runs, five hits and two walks with five strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings at Texas. The 31-year-old Mexican was even better in his season debut against the Chicago White Sox, giving up one run and four hits while striking out seven over six frames in a no-decision. Lucas Duda is 2-for-5 with a homer versus Garcia, who is 1-1 with a 5.68 ERA in five career starts against the Royals.
WALK-OFFS
1. Toronto RHP Roberto Osuna (five saves) allowed two hits and struck out five with no walks in 7 1/3 scoreless innings to start the season.
2. Kansas City is tied for last in the majors with five home runs - three from Mike Moustakas and two by Duda.
3. The Royals won four of their six matchups against the Blue Jays and were 17-15 versus the American League East last year.